Military Space News
ROBO SPACE
China's Ant Group launches AI 'life assistant'
China's Ant Group launches AI 'life assistant'
by AFP Staff Writers
Hong Kong (AFP) Sept 6, 2024
The fintech firm backed by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has made a foray into products powered by artificial intelligence after announcing a "life assistant" mobile app.

Ant Group said its Zhixiaobao app can help users "order meals, hail taxis, book tickets, and discover local dining and entertainment options" as well as access services in the digital payment app Alipay.

Unveiled in Shanghai on Thursday, comes as tech giants such as Google, Meta and Microsoft ramp up investment in the AI market, with many firms touting tighter integration of chatbots.

"Alipay is committed to harnessing AI's potential to improve the user experience, ensuring that AI assistants like Zhixiaobao become valuable tools in everyday life for all," Ant Group president Cyril Han said in a news release.

Since Ant's initial public offering was scrapped by Chinese authorities in 2020, the firm has been forced to overhaul its business model to satisfy financial regulators.

Last year, it was fined 7.1 billion yuan (US$984 million) for "illegal" acts months after its billionaire founder Jack Ma relinquished control.

The Hangzhou-based company saw its profits fall 10 percent in the January-March quarter, Bloomberg News reported, adding that Ant's valuation has fallen more than 70 percent since the aborted IPO.

Ant on Thursday described its new product as an "AI-native application powered by Ant Group's BaiLing foundation model", referring to the company's large language model.

The Chinese government gave the green light last year for Ant to offer products that used BaiLing.

At the Shanghai event, the firm also announced AI-powered products for merchants, healthcare service users and insurance companies.

Related Links
All about the robots on Earth and beyond!

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROBO SPACE
AI chatbots must learn to say 'help!' says Microsoft exec
San Francisco (AFP) Sept 1, 2024
Generative AI tools will save companies lots of time and money, promises Vik Singh, a Microsoft vice president, even if the models must learn to admit when they just don't know what to do. "Just to be really frank, the thing that's really missing today is that a model doesn't raise its hands and say 'Hey, I'm not sure, I need help,'" Singh told AFP in an interview. Since last year, Microsoft, Google and their competitors have been rapidly deploying generative AI applications like ChatGPT, which ... read more

ROBO SPACE
Major progress repored in Next-Gen OPIR Missile Warning Program

Bluestone invests in Qualis Corporation to boost missile defense and space tech

US approves $5 bn Patriot missile sale to Germany

Poland inks deal for 48 Patriot air-defence launchers

ROBO SPACE
Lebanon security source says Israel strike hits Hezbollah missile truck

NATO states condemn latest Russian strikes on Ukraine

Deadly Russian strikes pound Ukraine for 2nd day

Kyiv test fired 1st Ukraine-made ballistic missile: Zelensky

ROBO SPACE
Thousands of drone professionals to convene today at Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas

Turkish drone downed over northern Iraq: military official

NASA unveils new pod to enhance autonomous aircraft vision

Zelensky urges Europe to help down Russian drones, missiles

ROBO SPACE
Hughes and Boost Mobile Showcase Advanced Network Management for U.S. Navy

Orbit Secures $6 Million Contract for Advanced Naval Satellite Communication Systems in Asia

Tyvak Secures $254 Million Contract to Build Satellites for Space Development Agency's T2TL Gamma

SDA allocates $424M for 20 Gamma Variant satellites for Tranche 2

ROBO SPACE
Hezbollah video appears to show its tunnels, missiles

Czech army to receive German tanks in Ukraine aid compensation

What we know about Hezbollah's weapons arsenal

US announces $1.7 bn in new security assistance for Ukraine

ROBO SPACE
Sigma Defense Opens New Production Facility in Perry, Georgia

Russia arrests another defence official on fraud charges

Indonesia, Australia sign 'historic' defence pact

Danish court rules arms smuggler can't be extradited to India

ROBO SPACE
From Indonesia to Singapore: Four stages of pope's trip

Pope heads to Southeast Asia in ambitious trip

China pushes rivals' limits in regional disputes

Swiss should be more flexible on neutrality, NATO cooperation: study

ROBO SPACE
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2026 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.